Eliud Owalo has formally resigned from his role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency, clearing the way for his bid for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
In a statement released on social media, Owalo said his continued stay in government was incompatible with his newly declared political ambition to challenge President William Ruto. He announced that his resignation takes effect immediately.
“Following my declaration earlier today that I intend to run for Presidency of the Republic of Kenya in the year 2027, my position as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency is no longer tenable. I have therefore resigned from the position with immediate effect,” Owalo said.
Owalo was appointed to the influential role as part of President Ruto’s efforts to strengthen government delivery and improve efficiency across state institutions. His mandate involved coordinating the implementation of key government programmes and monitoring performance across ministries and agencies.
A seasoned politician and public servant, Owalo has previously contested elective office and held several senior government positions. Most notably, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, where he oversaw policy initiatives aimed at expanding digital infrastructure and promoting Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.
His resignation signals the formal start of his 2027 presidential campaign and positions him among early contenders seeking to challenge the incumbent. The move is also likely to trigger political realignments as the country gradually shifts focus toward the next general election cycle.
With his departure, attention will now turn to how his former responsibilities will be reassigned within the Executive, as well as how Owalo plans to differentiate his presidential bid in an increasingly competitive political landscape.
